Rays of Northern Light

I met a squirrel this week, well sort of. We actually watched his dramatic escape. Tim and I try to get out to exercise each day with long walks in the park or along the river. Earlier this week after a very rainy morning we went out in the afternoon. Right in front of us we saw a large hawk swooping through the park with a squirrel in its talons. It may have been a juvenile hawk just learning to hunt because as he landed on a tree branch to begin his dinner he dropped the squirrel to the ground. We watched with anticipation to see what would happen next. The squirrel and the hawk seemed to be eyeing each other too, while wondering about their next move. Maybe the squirrel was just in shock and the hawk was just too inexperienced, but finally the squirrel ran away and up a tree. The hawk flew up to another tree where there was another hawk, maybe a parent. Anyway, we walked over to see how Mister squirrel was doing. He let us take his picture with his scar from the hawk’s talon’s showing. He seemed to be ok but will probably carry his scars for the rest of his life.

      This incident of course reminded me of how we all have scars from life’s afflictions. Many of them are outside of our power to prevent or control. What we do next will determine the quality of the future of our lives. In Elder Gong’s last conference talk he said, 

                 ”With our trust and faith in God, trials and afflictions can be consecrated for our good. Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt, later saved his family and                   people. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s incarceration in Liberty Jail taught him “these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good.” Lived with                   faith, trials and sacrifices we would never choose can bless us and others in ways never imagined.”

      I don’t know if the hawk will learn to become a better hunter after his mistake or if the squirrel will go on to continue populating the park with its offspring. But I do know that our afflictions and trials can be for our good when we look to our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. This mortal experience can be hard at times, but we can do hard things.

      We taught a woman this week who has had some hard times and difficult losses recently. She felt depressed and angry for a long time. She has a very soft heart and as we visited her, we could see her desire to come back into the light. She reminded me of the squirrel who almost became a hawk’s dinner and though in shock for a little while, he came to his senses and ran for his life. I feel like this woman is trying to run back to the safety of the Lord. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, but He knows that we have to go through trials and afflictions in order to grow. I have confidence that our new friend can reach the safety she is looking for in Christ. We felt the spirit with us as we shared our faith in the gospel with her.